Congressman Reyes Introduces Ports Of Entry Bill

U.S. Congressman Silvestre Reyes hasintroduced a bill that would increase funding and staffing for border checkpoints in an attempt to improve security and to modernize the infrastructure of these ports of entry.

The bill is called the Putting Our Resources Toward Security (PORTS) Act and would provide $5 billion through 2014 to repair and modernize all U.S. Land ports of entry.

This bill would also fund an additional 5,000 Customs and Border Protection agents in order to improve inspections and reduce traffic congestion at checkpoints.

In addition, the bill would add 350 support personnel and 1,200 agriculture specialists to the Customs and Border Patrol so that CBP officers would not be pulled away from inspection duties to perform specialized or administrative work.

Congressman Reyes said the funding is necessary to help federal law enforcement agencies stem the illegal flow of drugs, money, and weapons that are being illegally transported across the U.S.-Mexico border.

According to Reyes’ office, 29 other members of Congress are supporting the bill.